The subtraction principle

Why mastery comes through inner minimalism

The midday sun beat down. I thrust the shovel into earth. Dust rose. Sweat ran.

This was my task now. Dig my own grave.

Hour after hour, I dug. Hands blistered, then calloused. Muscles ached. The hole took shape slowly. A simple rectangle. Long enough for my body. Deep enough to contain me.

Nothing elegant about this work. Nothing complex. Just the rhythm …